CHURCH AND LABOR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 91, 13 May 1909, Page 2

CHURCH AND LABOR.

SPEECH BY THE FEDERAL PREMIER. Svdney, May 12. Mr. Andrew Fisher," federal Premier, at the invitation of the Presbyterian General Assembly, addressed a large gathering on the subject of "Church and La'lior." The Rev. Mr. Wangh, in opening the discussion, *iiid that organised Labor was looking at the Church with curious and sceptical eyes and wondering what the Church was going to do. There was need of aometliing to be done, and it was undeniable that a largo number were not getting a living wage. Mr, Fisher declared the question was not a political one, but a social one, touching the very roots of civilisation. Instead oi being in the. lead and dealing with the matter, the Church had dragged behind, and had proved unequal to its' first social duty. What estranged ■people from the Church was the fact that they could make more progress by an association with a movement which was not a church movement but which contains for women and men something making for the welfare of their fellows.

Mr. Fisher, continuing, said that during the last sixteen years Australia had doubled her wealth, but the increase bad not gone to the struggling people who wore its' .backbone.

If the Church allowed these things it would not progress but be left behind in the. social movement and be ignored.

We in a way were civilised, but we were not really Christiuu and civilised when we allowed honest men to starve. It would foe impertinent to say there what the remedy was, but he "claimed the Church's sympathy for those in danger not only of Jiangs of hunger but of moral diwiger.

The Church had also failed miserably regarding the housing of the poor and the working conditions of the poor. Vested interests were standing against th 0 lives of our women and children; there were rings and combines on every hand. Sonic people high in the Church told people these things operate for the good of the public. They thought nothing of. cornering foodstuffs. It was a degradation to the country, a disgrace to Parliament, and a reflection upon every Church that failed to condemn it. These were the honest convictions oi his heart. He hoped the Church would deal with the question speedily, even if it had to call a special session of the Assembly.

Replying to the criticisms of his speech, Mr. Fisher said he did not deny the Church preached the gospel of love your neighbor a* M-ourself, but the preaching did not effect the result desired.

The Assembly expressed its thanks to Mr. Fisher.

(Regarding the social evil. Mr Fis'her declared: "If the united body of the Christian Church were to s av 'this must not continue, it would not continue, because we who stand in n bodv outside the churches will stand behind' vou like one man."